Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

5 way-too-early free agents the Minnesota Timberwolves should look at

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 22: Coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves before the game against the Orlando Magic on November 22, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 22: Coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves before the game against the Orlando Magic on November 22, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets warms up against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets warms up against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Will Barton ( SG/SF – Unrestricted)

Season averages: 29.3 MPG – 14.4 PPG – 5.3 RPG – 2.9 APG – 46.3% FG – 40.9% 3PT – 67.2% FT

Trevor Ariza may be a great 3-and-D option for the Wolves, but Will Barton is the younger, more dynamic version of the Rockets wing.

Barton will be 27-years-old by seasons end, coming in to the prime of his career, so it may be tough for the money-handicapped Timberwolves to lure ‘Will the Thrill’ to the Twin Cities. His 3-year, 10 Million dollar contract he accepted from the Nuggets after he put up over 14 points per game in the 2015-16 season.

This year, Barton is averaging the same amount of points, with his intangibles constantly shining through with the injury-stricken Nuggets clawing on to a Western Conference playoff position.

Thanks in part to Will the Thrill himself.

https://twitter.com/BasketMerkez/status/936597459568091136

According to Basketball Reference, Barton’s Offensive Rating this season is at a career-best 115, and his +40 percent 3-point percentage blows his previous NBA high clip of 37 percent out of the water.

Combine his newfound shooting touch with his athletic ability and his ability to switch between either wing positions and Will Barton is the best option on the market for the Timberwolves this summer, especially if he agrees to the same type of payday that he accepted last time he was a free agent.

Next: Reasons for Teague (and Jones) to be starting point guard

Free agents will be looking at Minnesota in a different light if they can keep up their winning ways, and Tom Thibodeau has a litany of options to look at come summer time.